Mostly Sunny, Some Rain For The Weekend
June 13, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Saturday Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. West winds around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Saturday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph in the evening becoming light.
- Sunday Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Northeast winds around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Sunday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s.
- Monday Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s.
- Tuesday Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Tuesday Night Partly cloudy. Lows around 70.
- Wednesday Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Wednesday Night Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows around 70. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
No Injuries In Trash Truck, Pickup Crash
June 13, 2014
There were no serious injuries reported in an accident involving a trash truck Thursday afternoon.
The accident involving a pickup truck and a ECUA truck happened about 3:15 p.m. on Beulah Road at the Perdido Landfill. Both vehicles came to rest on a guardrail. Both drivers reportedly refused Escambia County EMS transport to the hospital.
The Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash. Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Court Rules Against Cities, Red Light Cameras
June 13, 2014
Wading into the controversial issue of red-light cameras, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday sided with motorists who challenged local red-light camera ordinances in Orlando and Aventura.
The case focused on red-light camera programs that the cities began using before approval of a 2010 statewide law that authorized the traffic devices and set requirements.
In a 5-2 decision, the Supreme Court said the cities did not comply with the state’s traffic laws at the time because of the way they enforced red-light camera violations. The cities used municipal-code enforcement systems that were different than the way state laws said traffic offenders should be punished.
“Each of the ordinances creates a municipal code enforcement system for the disposition of red light violations that is entirely separate from the enforcement system established under (two parts of state law),” said the majority opinion, written by Justice Charles Canady and joined by Chief Justice Ricky Polston and justices R. Fred Lewis, Jorge Labarga and James E.C. Perry.
But Justice Barbara Pariente, in a dissent joined by Justice Peggy Quince, wrote that the majority opinion failed to “take into account the breadth of the home rule authority granted to municipalities by both the Florida Constitution and by statute.”
“Although this subject is of interest to many Floridians, the wisdom and public policy questions regarding the use of red light cameras are not before this court, nor are any potential constitutional issues that may be implicated through the use of these cameras,” Pariente wrote. “Instead, the only issue in this case is the purely legal question of whether municipalities were authorized to enact red light camera ordinances, which imposed municipal fines on drivers for conduct already covered by the Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law, prior to 2010, pursuant to their home rule authority.”
Red-light cameras have been heavily debated in recent years as they have been installed in cities across the state. While supporters say they help traffic safety, critics question, in part, whether the use of the devices is motivated by cities seeking more money from traffic fines.
The Supreme Court took the cases after conflicting rulings by lower courts. The 3rd District Court of Appeal upheld the Aventura ordinance, while the 5th District Court of Appeal struck down the Orlando measure.
The plaintiff in the Orlando case, Michael Udowychenko, challenged the ordinance after getting cited for running a red light in 2009. The Aventura ordinance was challenged by Richard Masone, who also was cited in 2009. The filed the cases, at least in part, to get fines set aside.
State lawmakers in 2010 approved what is known as the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, the statewide red-light camera law.
But in a footnote in her dissent Thursday, Pariente wrote that the 2010 law had not made the issues in the local cases “moot, particularly given the significant amounts of money that were collected by the cities of Orlando and Aventura pursuant to their then-existing municipal ordinances — which the majority has decided must now be returned to the individuals who violated these ordinances.”
The majority opinion does not explicitly address returning money to motorists, but it upheld the decision by the 5th District Court of Appeal.
That decision said, in a footnote, that a proposed class action had been denied in the Orlando case. It also noted that only Udowychenko had challenged the ordinance and that “others who paid the fine most likely would be barred” by a legal doctrine that often prevents recoveries by people who voluntarily make payments.
by Jim Saunder, The News Service of Florida
Weaver Completes Navy Basic Training
June 13, 2014
Navy Seaman Cody J. Weaver, son of Ricky Weaver of Pensacola and Cassandra E. and stepson of Gene M. Craig of Cantonment recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL.
During the eight-week program, Weaver completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations”. This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. “Battle Stations” is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly ”Navy” flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.
Northview Students Earn Microsoft, Adobe Certifications
June 13, 2014
Numerous Northview High School students in grades 9-11 earned Microsoft Office Specialist Certifications or passed Adobe certifications as follows:
Passed three MOS certifications –
- Jessica Barrows
- Ciara Campbell
- Holly Cofield
- Hailey Forcheaux
- Mallory Gibson
- Landon Godwin
- Kaitlyn Kline
- Aaron McDonald
- Danielle Robinson
- Caleb Therrell
Passed four MOS certifications -
- Alyssa Bell
- Ethan Bomba
- Christopher “Noah” Coker
- Hanna Ging
- Kaylie Hudson
- Adrian King
- Andrea Miles
- Samantha Sharpless
- Destiny Stevens
Passed five MOS certifications –
- Alyssa Borelli
- Niki Coleman
- Charmayne Fountain
- Trevor Levins
- Kaitlyn Pugh
- Mitchell Singleton
- Nathan Singleton
- Harmoni Till
- Asja Trotter
- Jessica Stacey
Passed Adobe Illustrator
- Breanna Payne
Passed Adobe Photoshop
- Jadlyn Agerton
- Sean Allister
- Natalie Barrow
- Matthew “Ryan” Chavers
- Iyanna Davidson
- Lawrence Douglas
- Austin Faircloth
- Nathan Galvan
- Mallory Gibson
- Cheyenne Gray
- Dariane Guy
- Dillon Hall
- Brayden Hubbard
- Taylor Kearley
- Kaitlyn Kleinatland
- Logan Lambeth
- Brittanie McLemore
- Teamber Moorer
- Audriene Odom
- Kortney Reid
- Savanna Roux
- Jada Tucker
- Shania Ward
- Takeya Williams
- Hadley Woodfin
Brown On The Job As Escambia County’s New Administrator
June 13, 2014
Today wraps up the first week on the job for new Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown. He was hired back in April, ending a hiring process that took about 18 months for commissioners to make their final decision.
His first official day on the job was June 9, and his contract is for just one year. His salary was set at $150,000 for the year, plus normal county benefits. The county also offered up to $5,000 to pay his moving expenses from Perry, Fla., where he served as administrator in Taylor County.
One of Brown’s first big tasks is to present a proposed budget to the county commission. It’s due July 15. And while he’s the boss over county employees, he can’t hire any assistant administrators or department heads without the backing of commissioners.
After retirement from the Army in 1996, Brown served Taylor County as the director of human resources, county coordinator and county manager. In January 2001 he was hired as the general manager of RDS Manufacturing Company, a position he held for 18 months prior to being recruited as a faculty member at Florida State University.
While at FSU, he was elected as a Taylor County County commissioner . In the summer of 2006 he announced that he would not seek a second term. In January 2007, he resigned from FSU and returned to serve Taylor County as the county administrator.
Youth Football Registrations Underway For NWE, Cantonment, Flomaton
June 13, 2014
Registration will continue today for youth football and cheerleading at Northwest Escambia, Cantonment, Century and Flomaton.
NORTHWEST ESCAMBIA FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING
Northwest Escambia Youth Football and Cheerleading will hold registration for the 2014 season at Travis Nelson Park in Bratt and at Don Sutton Ball Park in Molino from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the following Saturdays: June 14, 21, 28; and July 12, 26. The deadline to sign up for cheerleading is June 21.
Registration fee for football is $85, with NWE providing equipment and game uniforms. Registration fee for cheerleading is $200 and includes uniform, midriff, pom-poms, monogrammed bag, hair bow and trophy. Payment plans are available for football and cheerleading.
Proof of residency or proof in enrollment in Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary, Molino Park Elementary or Ernest Ward Middle School is required. A copy of the child’s birth certificate is also required.
For more information call (850) 449-3185 for football or (850) 377-3102 for cheer.
CANTONMENT COWBOYS
Registration is open for the 2014 Cantonment Cowboys football season.
Registration is available online at www.cantonmentcowboys.org/register/. Players/cheerleaders also can register starting May 31st each Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon through July 26th at the Cantonment Cowboys Football Field at 681 Well Line Road.
For more information, visit www.cantonmentcowboys.org or www.facebook.com/CantonmentCowboys
FLOMATON YOUTH FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING
Early sign up day for Flomaton Youth Football and Cheerleading is Saturday, June 21 and Saturday, July 19 at the pavilion at Hurricane Park. July 19 is the final day for cheerleading registration; a final football registration will be held on the first day of practice, August 1 at 5 p.m.Registration fee is $50 for both football and cheerleaders. A copy of the child’s birth certificate, insurance card and two proofs of residency are required.
Four Run Fourth Powers Mobile Over The Pensacola Blue Wahoos
June 13, 2014
The Mobile BayBears scored four runs in the fourth inning to put the Wahoos away on their way to a 6-3 win in the second game of the five-game set between the cross-bay rivals.
Wahoos starter Jon Moscot (L, 4-5) ran into some tough luck as the BayBears took advantage of an error, an infield single, a broken bat single and even a double from the pitcher to plate four runs and overcome a 3-2 Wahoo advantage. Mobile went in front 6-3, and both teams were held scoreless the rest of the way.
Moscot made it through five innings and was charged with 6 R/4 ER with a walk and four strikeouts and ended up as the tough-luck loser for the Wahoos.
Wahoos catcher Ross Perez hand another strong outing against his former team going 1-for-3 with a run scored and throwing out two Mobile base stealers. Three Blue Wahoos relievers, James Walczak, Lee Hyde and Justin Freeman combined to work three scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Rey Navarro got the offense started with a solo home run in the first inning, his ninth of the year.
BayBears starter, Mike Lee (W, 4-3), logged 6.0 innings and allowed 3 R/1 ER with four walks and four strikeouts on his way to his fourth win of the year. Jake Barrett (S, 12) worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second straight save against Pensacola.
After a shakeup in the rotation, the Wahoos turn to RHP Robert Stephenson (3-5, 3.49) to get back in the win column as they play first half spoiler against Mobile. The BayBears have a three-game lead on the Southern League South Division with only three games remaining. The BayBears will start RHP Bradin Hagens (5-2, 3.25). First pitch is set for 7:05 from Hank Aaron Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos open play on the second half of the season at home against the Huntsville Stars on Thursday, June 19.
by Tommy Thrall
Helen Rankin Byrd
June 13, 2014
Mrs. Helen Rankin Byrd passed away June 12, 2014. She was a native of Texas County, Missouri, former resident of Pensacola and Walnut Hill. She was currently residing in Marianna, FL. She was a beautician in Pensacola and worked at the Old Navy Point stores. She later was employed by the Jackson County Florida School Board teaching adult arts and craft classes. She was an accomplished artist. She was a member of Woodmen of the World Lodge 65, the Art Guild of Pensacola, and the Artist Guild Of Northwest Florida. She was the oldest living member of First Baptist Church of Marianna. Helen was a member of the Faithful Workers Sunday School class and the Joy Club.
Mrs. Byrd is preceded in death by her parents, Orval and Cora Clark Rankin and her husband Wiley T. Byrd, Sr.
Mrs. Byrd is survived by two sons, Wiley T. (Buddy) Byrd II of Westville, FL and Steven L. (Sue) Byrd of Walnut Hill; three daughters, Wanetta A. (Thomas) McGinty of Walnut Hill, E. La Vonne (Danny) Swindle of Pensacola and Rhonda K. (Bud) Byrd-Lee of Westville, FL; 14 grandchildren, Leslie Garner, Lynn Yelverton, Laine Austin, Wiley T. (Johnny) Byrd III, Deana Coursey, Jennifer Carstens, Anneke Tschirhart, Tanaia Gleason, Teegan McCooey, Shannon Byrd, Shane Byrd, Zack Byrd, Bryan Lee and Barry Lee; and 26 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday, June 16, 2014, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Marianna with Rev. Michael Petty and Dr. Mark Long officiating.
Burial will be in Walnut Hill Cemetery at 3 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2014, with Rev. Danny Swindle officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to funeral service at First Baptist Church in Marianna.
Donations may be made to Emerald Coast Hospice or a charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Dr. Joe Gay and Chipola Medical Staff and Emerald Coast Hospice for the love and care shown to their mother and grandmother.
Irene Brandt
June 13, 2014
Irene Brandt, 91, of Cantonment, went home to be with our Lord Jesus on June 5, 2014. She is now joined with her parents, Eino and Toini Anderson and her beloved husband Gustav Brandt in Heaven.
Irene was born and raised in Ewen, Michigan where she met the love of her life, Fred. After marrying they relocated to Cantonment in 1945. She was an employee of Associates Finance Company for 25 years.
Irene was an active member of the Ensley United Methodist Church where she participated in the women’s “Gleaners” Sunday School Class and Jolly Makers. She also served as an officer in the United Methodist Women’s group and was a member of the church choir where she was a very strong alto. Irene was also a member of the TOPS Chapter FL98.
She loved her family and especially treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren saying they kept her young. She is survived by her sister, Adeline Robl; daughters, Christine Ellis (Gary) of Houston, Texas and Karen Teets (Dale); grandchildren, Todd Parker (Robin), Jason Parker, Christine Carpenter (Charles), Michael Ellis (Heather) of Houston, Texas, April Johnson, and Kaitlin Frederickson (Anthony); and nine great-grandchildren.
Flowers are optional, but if you would like to send a donation in memorial of Irene, please donate to the Ensley United Methodist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
where she was a strong supporter.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great-grandsons.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 8, at 1 p.m. with the memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. at Eastern Gate. Services will be co-officiated by Pastor Gina Bryan and Bro. Mark Dees.
Eastern Gate Funeral Home has been entrused with arrangements.